“A Stretch of the Imagination”, a one character play by Jack Hibberd, has been staged many times in many places with different actors in the lead. It has become an Australian classic.
In 1976, when staged in the back theatre of the Pram Factory, the character of Monk O’Neill was played by Max Gillies (directed by Paul Hampton); and the play and performance received rave reviews. Copies of three of those reviews appear below. (The play, with the same actor and director, was staged again at the Pram Factory – this time in the front theatre – in Aug/Sept 1977.)
Neil Jillet described the play as “probably the most beautiful Australian play ever written”; Bob Crimeen said “Hibberd’s masterpiece of hallucinations and shattered dreams gives Gillies the chance to prove his mettle in tragic-comedy”; and a writer for the Sunday Press said “This study of a singular man is Australian writer Jack Hibberd at his best …. Max Gillies as Monk O’Neil, is brilliant and gives Melbourne … the performance of the year”.
(“A Stretch of the Imagination” was first performed at the Pram Factory in 1972, with Peter Cummins as Monk O’Neill, directed by Jack Hibberd.)
(To read a detailed discussion in 2009 about “A Stretch of the Imagination” – a discussion in which Jack Hibbert, Max Gillies and Paul Hampton participated – go to this Double Dialogues webpage: https://www.doubledialogues.com/article/jack-hibberds-a-stretch-of-the-imagination/ )
Review in the Sunday Press, December 1976
Review by Neil Jillett, Nov 1976
Review by Bob Crimeen, Nov 1976
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